Los Angeles

Origin

São Paulo, SP

Also known as

Trio Los Angeles

Genres

brega, pop, dance music

Instruments

vocals

Biography

Trio Los Angeles is a prominent Brazilian musical group formed in São Paulo in 1982, recognized as one of the main representatives of brega music infused with pop and dance rhythms. The group was originally established by model Márcio Mendes alongside his sister Ana Maria, model Cléo Ferreira, and choreographer Lourdes Rosa, following an invitation from RCA Records. They achieved immediate mainstream success that same year with the smash hit single "Vamos Dançar Mambolê", which sold over 1.5 million copies and earned them both Gold and Platinum records.

Characterized by their Caribbean-inspired sounds, sensual aesthetics, and distinct 1980s fashion—featuring high-cut leotards and colorful bustiers combined with dynamic choreography—the trio quickly became a staple of Brazilian Sunday television programs. In 1984, they expanded their popularity by recording the theme song "Transas e Caretas" for the Rede Globo telenovela of the same name. Despite enduring various lineup changes over the decades, including departures due to pregnancy and health issues, the group continued to reinvent itself under the leadership of Márcio Mendes.

Throughout their career, Trio Los Angeles released numerous albums spanning genres from Latin-infused dance tracks to zouk, maintaining a lasting legacy within Brazilian pop culture. While continuing to perform and release music, Márcio Mendes has also engaged in television hosting and fashion ventures, keeping the group's vibrant spirit alive. Their contemporary and classic sounds align them with other notable Brazilian entertainers of the era such as Sidney Magal and Gretchen.